"We will ensure Ka Bel's attendance on Labor Day"

Militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today joined the Free Ka Bel Movement and Anakpawis Party List in a mass this morning at the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court as Rep. Crispin Beltran and his counsels file a motion to quash on the scheduled arraignment before the QC MTC.

Workers and Beltran's supporters went afterwards to the Makati Regional Trial Court as Judge Jenny Lind Aldecoa-Delorino issued a resolution on the pending Motion for Judicial Determination of Probable Cause filed by Beltran's lawyers led by Atty. Romeo Capulong last March 3.

KMU Spokesperson Prestoline Suyat said that the preparations for the May 1 Labor Day nationwide activities are already in full swing and workers are expecting Ka Bel's attendance to the Labor Day Rally at Liwasang Bonifacio.

"By all means, we will ensure Ka Bel's presence during the Labor Day rally. We will ask him to speak before thousands of workers about his first hand experience of repression under the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo fascist dictatorship."

KMU said they are focusing on three main issues towards Labor Day, including campaign for wage increase, resistance to rising trade union, political repression and curtailment of civil liberties and release of Ka Bel and an end of the persecution of the 'Batasan 5'.

"We are stepping up efforts to further campaign the P125 across-the-board, across-the-country wage increase for all workers. We ask the House of Representatives to discuss the HB 345 this week before they go on recess on April 7. At the core of these issues is the people's long standing clamor for Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's ouster from Malacanang. Her continuing illegitimate and despicable reign worsens the people's poverty and oppression."

As PGMA turns 59 on April 5; Workers ask Arroyo to go on early retirement

Meanwhile, KMU gave an early birthday message to Mrs. Arroyo who will celebrate her 59th birthday on April 5, "She'd better go on early retirement, it's will be for the good of all Filipinos," said KMU Chairperson Elmer Labog.

Labog said that workers will be happy to see Mrs. Arroyo go. "We need permanent relief from her anti-people policies and arrogant leadership."

The labor leader further said that the mandatory retirement age for workers in public and private sector is 60 years old but more workers are being forced to retire early because of corporate reorganizations and intensification of contractual labor.

"Issues concerning retirement benefits are among the primary causes of labor disputes, like in the case of Nestle Cabuyao, because companies are continuously imposing corporate flexibilization programs that lead to cut back in the workforce and abandonment of retiring workers. It is unfortunate that the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) even condone capitalists and employers who impose early retirement programs of big companies such as San Miguel Corporation, PLDT Inc., Philippine Air Lines, Nestle Philippines and more.